Should Albert Pujols switch to DH sooner than later?

Apr. 6, 2013
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Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (5) hits a home run against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Pujols played DH during Saturday's win. / Jim Cowsert, USA TODAY Sports

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

Then again, after turning the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington into his own playground Saturday afternoon, Pujols may have to reconsider.

Pujols, employed as the Los Angeles Angels' DH for the first time this season instead of their first baseman, smacked two home runs in his only two official at-bats, leading the Angels to an 8-4 laugher over the Texas Rangers.

He became the first American League player, and only third in major-league history, to hit two homers and receive three intentional walks in the same game. The other two were David Wright of the 2007 New York Mets and Claudell Washington of the 1980 Mets.

So much for a repeat of last year's ugly April, when Pujols hit .217, went the entire month without homering, driving in only four runs.

"It seems like when people doubted me,'' Pujols said, "I have that chip on my shoulder. I like to prove people wrong. I've been doing that since my first day they gave that opportunity to become a professional. People doubted I wouldn't be in the big leagues, so I keep proving people wrong.

"When people say negative things, I like to let my work do my talking.''

Pujols conceded Saturday that he simply put too much pressure on himself, contributing to last year's slow start. The Angels were supposed to win a World Series, and Pujols was supposed to win a Triple Crown.

"I wanted to have a great start coming to a new ballclub,'' Pujols said, "I just put a little too much pressure on myself, trying to do too much. It wasn't just me. Everybody was trying too hard because we knew what kind of ballclub we had.

"I was a big part of that, there was a big expectation, having one of the biggest contracts. It was a big story.

"But I never lost that focus. I know what I can do. And I know I can play this game.''

Now, it's new teammate Josh Hamilton feeling the pain and pressure of signing a lucrative free-agent contract. Rangers manager Ron Washington ordered his pitchers to intentionally walk Pujols three times to get to Hamilton, and Hamilton went hitless in four at-bats. He is now hitting just .050 with 10 strikeouts in 20 at-bats.

"I think it was a smart move,'' Hamilton said of the Rangers' strategy. "Albert dominated today, obviously. So if I was I was in that situation, I'd have done the same thing.''

Pujols, realizing that Hamilton is feeling the same pressure he did a year ago, says it's time for everyone to chill. Hamilton, who signed a five-year, $125 million contract, will start hitting. It's just a matter of time.

"We're only five games into the season,'' Pujols said, "let the guy settle in. You guys talked about me, and at the end of the year, I proved a lot of people wrong.''

Pujols, 33, in the second year of a 10-year, $240 million contract, realizes he'll be spending the rest of his career trying to prove critics wrong, believing it's impossible to be productive by the time his contract ends at the age of 41.

Pujols has news for you.

The day he stops being productive, the day he believes he can no longer contribute at the level he has during his 12-year career, he'll simply walk away.

"The day I feel I can't compete anymore at this level,'' he said, "I'll walk out. I don't want to embarrass myself. I love this game so much, but if I lost that passion, that competitiveness, it's time to walk out.''

Yet, Pujols concedes that he'll likely have to be a full-time DH before his career ends. He doesn't have to like it, but he's starting to learn to master the position.

Pujols had no idea what to do with his spare time during games when he was a DH in 34 games last year. So he kept taking swings in the indoor cage. Too many.

"I tired myself out; I didn't know what to do,'' said Pujols, who hit .246 with a .299 on-base percentage in 34 games as a DH, with just four homers and 19 RBI in 144 plate appearances.

So he summoned advice from his close friend David Ortiz, the Boston Red Sox's full-time DH. Ortiz told him to just relax. Don't take too many swings while waiting, but stay loose.

Pujols took the suggestion, spent his free time during the game riding an exercise bicycle, and only took four or five swings in the sixth inning.

Voila! Immediate success.

Still, Pujols doesn't want the Angels to get any bright ideas. He still wants to be the Angels' full-time first baseman, and plans to put off the inevitable as long as possible.

"I might be doing some DH here and there,'' Pujols said, "but not as much as I thought I was going to. It's a long season. We'll see what happens. I go day by day.

"I can't predict the season.''

He also can't forecast the severity of pain in his left foot, plantar fasciitis, which has never bothered him so badly this early in a season.

Pujols, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee during the winter, believes the surgery might have created stress on his left foot.

"Usually, it bothers me the most late in a season,'' Pujols said, "but this year it started early in spring training. I'm surprised. It's never bothered me this early in a season.